The Somerset reporter., 1887-08-03
THE GRANGE.


This column is devoted 10 the grange inter
ests u Somerset County Brief articles from
All the subordinate oranges for the good Of the
Order and Of interest arc solicited. All cntnmn-
nications will be sent 10 :. +. EMrHsoN' >koW-
HeGAN, who is selected TO edit the column.
We are social beings; We have
needs and therefore desire compan-
ionship. None are so fully devel-
oped and rounded in character and
ability as to be complete III them
selves, but each has need of others.
The over-seri0us and sombcr are
frightened and cnlivened by the
cheerful and sprightly; and undue
merriment is checked and stcadicd
by the gravcr department.. The
weak are strengthened by asSocia-
ton with the strong, and the strong
gather strength by being helpful.
Individually our intellectual growth
is more or less in certain lines or di-
rections, and each more or less pc
culiar. Shut up to ourselves, we
are in danger OF becoming circnm-
scribed and narrow i'll our thoughts
and judgments; but by frequnt in
terchange of thoughts and opinions
our mental horizon is broadened,
mental activity secured, and habits
of study formed and continued.
We are, or should be, an earnest
body, ardent III pursuing the work
of our order. The principles and
purposes to which we are sacredly
committed are freighted with signii-
icance, are tearfully real, and fore
shadow the possible social and civil
attainments Of the class we repre-
sent. The first purpose in our dec
laration is, Omitted by the strong
and faithful ties of agriculture, we
mutually resolve to labor for the
good of our order, our country and
mankind. The field is broad and
needy of labor. The obstacles are
many, opposing forces are i'll
trcnched upon the field and tirelcss
in strengthening their position.
Butin that word, united lies ample
power. United, we are victorious /;
divided, we are routed. Unity OF
action is the first requisite toward
making the purpose a fact. But
Margaret Fuller said, ain order to
have unity there must first be un-
its" And so it is. In the army OF
Patrons of Husbandry each one
must stand for something. Each
one must heed the command, for
ward march, and keep step with the
advancing host. Sooner or later
those who fail Of this will be elimi-
mated from the ranks. We enlist
for united, active service. owe
mutually resolve to labor"
The advent of the Grange began
a new order Of things in farming
communities. Formerly there was
but little association of thought,
sentiment or work among tillers OF
the soil. Each stood alone, and la
bored independently of others, and
the organized forces of society, civil
and commercial combinations, pat
ronized them selfishly or swept them
lightly aside. But the grange Cos
pei proclaims them brethren CUNT
ed by the strong and faithful ties OF
agriculture y and by line upon line,
precept upon precept, here little,
there little, it is bringing these
disconnected factors of rural life to
flow together. OF coure the transi-
ton period will be somewhat mixed,
agitated and uncomely; but the OBJ
jects sought are grand and right
eous, and education and experience
will perfect methods. When we ac-
cept this fact from practical stand
point, when our needs have SO drawn
us together that together we can la
Dor for our common prosperity and
welfare, for our common social and
civil advancement, then will these
ties become strong and faithful i'll
deed and truth. 1t is obvious, then,
that those who pass within the
grange gates should drop the old
manner of single-handed effort and
strive to adapt themselves to asso
ciated effort. Unless this is done
our organization will be of little use
to us-simply soul.less machine.
We are counSeled to labor for the
good of our order. This can be ac
complished in no more eflectual way
than by reducing to practice oul
moral and administrations and tho
principles of our Declaration of Pur
poses. The good of our country is
also included in the purposes fol
which we are to labor. The good OF
oU' count,y-not of any combina.
tons or monopolies that may exist,
not of some particular policy, or
man, or set of men. If we desire
practical resu Is from our labors in
this direction, there must be union
of forces, "A concerted and concen-
trated welding OF the only weapon
that can eiiectually execute the free.
mans will. But the obstinacy of
prejudice, the strength of partian-
ship, and the sophist 'es of policy
are no mean obstacles to overcome.
They block the pathway of civil
progress, and are enemies to the
good OF our country that it will take
years of patient, persevering effort
to uproot and cast out; but Het us
not be weary in well doing" The
order of Patrons of Husbandry is
destined to work Il revolution in
these things, and when each mem
Der begins to work "over against
his own house," the end will be near.
And so, believing that individual
happiness depends upon general
prosperity, we will labor on in faith
and hope for the good of "our order,
our country and mankind" exercis-
ing charity and fidelity in all the
relations of life; and persevere in